Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether participation in Connect to Work or disclosure of an intention to seek employment can in any circumstances trigger a reassessment of a participant's disability benefit entitlement.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

Connect to Work is a voluntary programme. Participation in the programme does not automatically trigger a reassessment of disability benefits. As with all employment support programmes, where a participant moves into employment, there may be an impact on benefit entitlement, depending on their earnings and individual circumstances. Specialist Connect to Work employment advisers help participants understand any potential impact before taking up employment.

The Government wants disabled people and people with health conditions to have confidence that exploring or taking up work will not, in itself, lead to a reassessment of their benefits. The Right to Try regulations, which came into force on 30 April 2026, establish in law that starting paid or voluntary work alone will not trigger a Work Capability Assessment reassessment or a PIP award review. This protection is intended to remove uncertainty and give disabled people and people with health conditions greater confidence to try work while receiving benefits.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects to receive the final report of the review into Young People and Work led by Alan Milburn; and whether he plans to publish a response before the end of 2026.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Right Honourable Alan Milburn has been commissioned to Author a report that will seek to understand the drivers of the increase in the number of young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

On the 28^th May he published his diagnostic report, outlining his discoveries on the drivers of the increase in the number of young people who are NEET.

The final Report is intended to take a holistic view of the welfare, health, skills and employment system and identify areas for reform.

The Author will provide a full and final report this Autumn.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of whether the current law provides sufficient protection for non-biological parents in same-sex families who have been involved in the upbringing of their children from birth.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessments have been made.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority publishes a Code of Practice for all licensed fertility clinics in the United Kingdom, which provides guidance on information about legal parenthood, which should be given to individuals undertaking fertility treatment. Further information is available at the following link:

https://portal.hfea.gov.uk/knowledge-base/read-the-code-of-practice/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of whether prospective same-sex parents receive sufficient information about the legal implications of (a) biological parenthood, (b) legal parenthood and (c) Parental Responsibility before or during fertility treatment.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessments have been made.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority publishes a Code of Practice for all licensed fertility clinics in the United Kingdom, which provides guidance on information about legal parenthood, which should be given to individuals undertaking fertility treatment. Further information is available at the following link:

https://portal.hfea.gov.uk/knowledge-base/read-the-code-of-practice/

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the April 2025 increase in employer National Insurance contributions on the number of entry-level vacancies for people aged 16 to 24.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. This can be found here: Changes to the Class 1 National Insurance Contributions Secondary Threshold, the Secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions rate, and the Employment Allowance, all from 6 April 2025 - GOV.UK

The Office for Budget Responsibility published the Economic and Fiscal Outlook in March 2026, which sets out a detailed forecast of the economy and public finances. The OBR expects that employment levels will rise in every year of the forecast, reaching 35.3m in 2030-31.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households on Universal Credit were exempt from the benefit cap on the most recent date for which data is available, broken down by reason for exemption.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time was between a new Universal Credit claim and the first work search interview for claimants in the searching for work group in each quarter since July 2024.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his written statement on Economic Growth of 7 September 2026, what the regional disparities in public investment per head referred to are; and if he will publish a table showing public investment per head by region and nation.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Information on regional disparities in public expenditure per head can be found in the HM Treasury Country and Regional Analysis published in November 2025.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the relationship between the amount of music teaching pupils receive at Key Stage 3 and subsequent participation in GCSE Music.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Music is compulsory in all maintained schools from ages 5 to 14, including at key stage 3. The national curriculum sets out the subject content schools must teach, but it does not prescribe the minimum amount of curriculum time that schools should allocate to music.

Schools are responsible for organising their curriculum and timetable in a way that meets statutory requirements and reflects their pupils’ needs. The department has also issued non-statutory guidance for schools on the existing national curriculum for music and this advises a minimum of one weekly period at key stage 3.

The government recognises the importance of strong key stage 3 music education in supporting progression to further study, including GCSE Music. We are taking forward work to reform the national curriculum and GCSEs, including in music, in light of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review. The new curriculum will be subject to consultation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department has issued on the minimum amount of curriculum time that schools should allocate to music at Key Stage 3.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Music is compulsory in all maintained schools from ages 5 to 14, including at key stage 3. The national curriculum sets out the subject content schools must teach, but it does not prescribe the minimum amount of curriculum time that schools should allocate to music.

Schools are responsible for organising their curriculum and timetable in a way that meets statutory requirements and reflects their pupils’ needs. The department has also issued non-statutory guidance for schools on the existing national curriculum for music and this advises a minimum of one weekly period at key stage 3.

The government recognises the importance of strong key stage 3 music education in supporting progression to further study, including GCSE Music. We are taking forward work to reform the national curriculum and GCSEs, including in music, in light of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review. The new curriculum will be subject to consultation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money has been withheld for contracts with Capita across all Departments since the company took over administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme; and if she will outline what penalties can be levied against the company for delivery failures.

Answered by Sally Jameson - Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Cabinet Office does not hold this information centrally. Individual Contracting Authorities are responsible for managing their own contracts with Capita, including any withholding of performance related payments, which are governed by specific contractual terms and subject to commercial confidentiality.

In relation to the contract for administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, which was awarded in 2023, the Cabinet Office has withheld £9.9 million in contract payments for undelivered milestones. In addition, the contract provides for remedies in the event of delivery failure, including the withholding of milestone payments and the application of service credits and other financial penalties in line with contractual performance measures.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the time taken to resolve private-law Children Act proceedings.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice is committed to improving timeliness in child arrangement proceedings, and the Family Justice Board regularly monitors timeliness data against performance targets it has set both regionally and nationally. We are also working towards publishing a family justice strategy which will set out system-wide actions to support earlier resolution of private law proceedings and reduce demand and delays.

The Government has committed to national rollout of Child Focused Courts across England and Wales by March 2029. The model represents a significant reform to family private law and families benefit from a streamlined, problem-solving approach which enables the court to make safe decisions without delay. Data from the 10 areas already operating the Child Focused Model shows cases are being resolved up to twice as fast as the national average, and outstanding caseloads have fallen by up to 50%.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the financial needs of children who spend substantial periods of time living in both parents' households when calculating child maintenance.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Reductions to the child maintenance liability may be made where overnight care of the qualifying child is shared by the paying parent for at least 52 nights a year, one night a week on average. The liability is reduced within prescribed bands according to the number of nights of care provided. These provisions recognise the costs incurred by the paying parent to provide overnight care. The CMS cannot instruct parents as to what shared care should be taking place; the law requires it to work out what shared care is taking place and ensure that is accurately reflected in the maintenance calculation on the basis of the evidence presented.

Decisions on shared care are based on the available evidence, with particular weight given to the most reliable sources, including court orders, formal or informal agreements between parents, and evidence of an established pattern of care. Where actual care arrangements differ from formal arrangements, the CMS may take account of the care that is being provided in practice, provided there is sufficient evidence to do so.

In cases where parents disagree about shared care, CMS caseworkers are required to consider all relevant evidence provided by both parties and must not make assumptions in favour of either parent. Caseworkers receive training and guidance to support fair and consistent decision-making and are required to apply the law to the specific facts of each case.

Shared care remains an important consideration within the child maintenance system, and this is an area that the CMS will continue to keep under review.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what evidence the Child Maintenance Service accepts when there is a dispute about the number of nights a child spends with each parent.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Reductions to the child maintenance liability may be made where overnight care of the qualifying child is shared by the paying parent for at least 52 nights a year, one night a week on average. The liability is reduced within prescribed bands according to the number of nights of care provided. These provisions recognise the costs incurred by the paying parent to provide overnight care. The CMS cannot instruct parents as to what shared care should be taking place; the law requires it to work out what shared care is taking place and ensure that is accurately reflected in the maintenance calculation on the basis of the evidence presented.

Decisions on shared care are based on the available evidence, with particular weight given to the most reliable sources, including court orders, formal or informal agreements between parents, and evidence of an established pattern of care. Where actual care arrangements differ from formal arrangements, the CMS may take account of the care that is being provided in practice, provided there is sufficient evidence to do so.

In cases where parents disagree about shared care, CMS caseworkers are required to consider all relevant evidence provided by both parties and must not make assumptions in favour of either parent. Caseworkers receive training and guidance to support fair and consistent decision-making and are required to apply the law to the specific facts of each case.

Shared care remains an important consideration within the child maintenance system, and this is an area that the CMS will continue to keep under review.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much her Department has spent on translation services in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP holds information for the following financial years:

2022 – 2023 total contract spend: £6,895,106.22

2023 – 2024 total contract spend: £7,122,478.06

2024 – 2025 total contract spend: £10,096,628.84

2025 – 2026 total contract spend: £12,213,080.48

This information can also be found in the published transparency data at DWP: departmental spending over £25,000 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average weekly difference is between the State Pension received by those in receipt of basic and the full new state pensions.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Please find the average weekly difference between the State Pension amount received by recipients of the Basic State Pension and the New State Pension on DWP Stat-Xplore.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are in receipt of the (a) basic and (b) new State Pension, and what proportion of State Pension recipients each category represents for which the latest data is available.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Please find the number of recipients of the Pre-2016 State Pension and the New State Pension on DWP Stat-Xplore.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department can take through diplomatic channels to establish the whereabouts and welfare of British children believed to have been taken to Russia by a parent without the consent of the other parent.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The Government takes International Parental Child Abduction extremely seriously. When we are made aware of a child's abduction to Russia or any other country, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will contact the relevant authorities in that country to express our official interest in court cases and social service activities, where appropriate, and we will support the left behind parent with country specific information.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps HM Passport Office can take where it receives information that a parent who is subject to restrictions on international travel may possess or obtain a passport issued by another country.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The prevention of the use of a foreign passport where international travel restrictions apply is a matter for the relevant authorities. His Majesty’s Passport Office has no jurisdiction over the issuing or possession of passports issued by any country other than the UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many sick days have been taken by staff of his Department in each of the last five years; and what the cost of such absences was in each such year.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

Please see below table for the total number of sickness days taken at HM Treasury by financial year:

Note that HM Treasury increased headcount during 2025-26 due to machinery of government changes, which may partially contribute to the increase in the total working days lost during the 2025-26 financial year. Annual headcount data for HM Treasury can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/civil-service-statistics

HM Treasury does not report data on the yearly cost of sickness absence.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients in the North West have waited more than 18 months for NHS treatment in each month since July 2024; and what assessment she has made of the reasons for those delays.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Hon Member can find the requested data at the link below:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/

The historic time series shows that elective waiting times increased substantially between 2010 and 2024, reaching their highest recorded level towards the end of that period.

The Hon Member can find a comprehensive assessment of the reasons for that decline in performance in the independent report published by Lord Darzi in September 2024 on the state of the National Health Service, available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-investigation-of-the-nhs-in-england

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the National Audit Office’s report Upgrading the electricity transmission network, published on 11 September 2026, on the proposed Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms Transmission Assets Development Consent Order, including the case for further consideration of alternative transmission arrangements.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Morgan and Morecambe Transmission Assets development consent was granted 14 September 2026. The Decision Letter, and the Examining Authority's Recommendation Report, considered the alternative cable route and the relevant National Policy Statements.

The National Audit Office’s report published on 11 September is an assessment of the electricity transmission network in Great Britain and not individual energy projects.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of 'Community Funds for Transmission Infrastructure: Guidance' to compensate communities affected by the Morgan and Morecambe Transmission Assets cabling corridor.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is committed to monitoring and evaluating the overall effectiveness of the guidance. The guidance does not intend to provide compensation for the impacts of individual projects. Rather, it sets out the Government's expectations for how communities living near to new or significantly upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure can share in the benefits that infrastructure brings.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many full-time equivalent officials in her Department process claim forms for (a) Universal Credit, (b) Job Seekers' Allowance and (c) Personal Independence Payment; and how many such forms were processed on average each working day for each benefit in each of the last five years.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The information requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the emerging recommendations in her Department's document entitled The Timms Review: co-chair update September 2026, updated on 11 September 2026, whether existing Personal Independence Payment claimants will be automatically transferred to any reformed benefit or whether they will be required to make a new claim or undergo a new assessment.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Timms Review shared a set of emerging recommendations on 9th September. These are not final recommendations of the Review. The steering group developed them using the evidence they have heard so far from D/deaf and disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, organisations and subject experts.

The steering group is now testing and refining these emerging recommendations through shaping recommendations workshops taking place across the UK in September and October.

The review will report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with its final recommendations in autumn 2026.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the emerging recommendations in his Department's document entitled The Timms Review: co-chair update September 2026, updated on 11 September 2026, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing award reviews on the number of people who will be entitled to claim Personal Independence Payment.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Timms Review shared a set of emerging recommendations on 9th September. These are not final recommendations of the Review. The steering group developed them using the evidence they have heard so far from D/deaf and disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, organisations and subject experts.

The steering group is now testing and refining these emerging recommendations through shaping recommendations workshops taking place across the UK in September and October.

The review will report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with its final recommendations in autumn 2026.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the emerging recommendations in his Department's document entitled The Timms Review: co-chair update September 2026, updated on 11 September 2026, whether he has assessed who will be responsible for commissioning and delivering the proposed Personal Independence Payment advocacy service.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Timms Review shared a set of emerging recommendations on 9th September. These are not final recommendations of the Review. The steering group developed them using the evidence they have heard so far from D/deaf and disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, organisations and subject experts.

The steering group is now testing and refining these emerging recommendations through shaping recommendations workshops taking place across the UK in September and October.

The review will report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with its final recommendations in autumn 2026.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of Connect to Work participants have (a) a physical health condition, (b) a mental health condition, (c) a learning disability, (d) autism and (e) multiple health conditions or disabilities for which the latest data is available.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Connect to Work is being delivered locally across England and Wales and has been introduced on a phased basis, with delivery areas launching according to local readiness. As a result, there is variation in how long individual programmes have been operating, which affects the extent to which meaningful comparisons can currently be made between local authority and combined authority areas. We intend to publish data in due course on the progress local areas are making against delivery expectations, once sufficient evidence is available to support robust and meaningful comparisons.

The department regularly publishes Connect to Work official statistics. The latest statistics, which are also available in more detail on Stat-Xplore, cover the period from April 2025 to June 2026. For this period, 46 of the 48 delivery areas had launched their programmes, with 27 having operated for six months or more. Around 15,000 of the 25,000 starts on the programme occurred between March and June 2026, meaning a significant proportion of participants have not yet received sufficient support for outcomes to be fully realised.

Early indications for the programme’s performance are encouraging. Of the 4,400 participants who were out of work when joining the programme and who had received at least six months of support, 1,500 had achieved earnings from employment (34%). Moreover, of the 25,000 that started on the programme between April 2025 and June 2026, 26% of these were aged 16-24.

By June 2026, 7,200 people (including 2,700 aged 16 to 24) had started the more intensive SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) support in Connect to Work. This is aimed at those with more complex barriers, including those who are neurodivergent or learning disabled. Of these, around 6,500 (90%) were out of work when starting the programme and 1,000 of these had already moved into work (including 420 young people).

We expect that the impact of the programme, including any variation in outcomes between areas, to become clearer as delivery matures and more participants complete their support journey.

Regarding a breakdown of the different complexities experienced by cohorts, the Management Information data is not currently of sufficient quality or coverage to meet the standards required for publication as Official Statistics, and therefore more detailed breakdowns are not currently published. We will keep this under review as publication of more detailed information in future Official Statistics will depend on how the MI data collection and processes mature.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the performance of Connect to Work to date against the target of supporting around 300,000 people by the end of the decade.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Connect to Work is being delivered locally across England and Wales and has been introduced on a phased basis, with delivery areas launching according to local readiness. As a result, there is variation in how long individual programmes have been operating, which affects the extent to which meaningful comparisons can currently be made between local authority and combined authority areas. We intend to publish data in due course on the progress local areas are making against delivery expectations, once sufficient evidence is available to support robust and meaningful comparisons.

The department regularly publishes Connect to Work official statistics. The latest statistics, which are also available in more detail on Stat-Xplore, cover the period from April 2025 to June 2026. For this period, 46 of the 48 delivery areas had launched their programmes, with 27 having operated for six months or more. Around 15,000 of the 25,000 starts on the programme occurred between March and June 2026, meaning a significant proportion of participants have not yet received sufficient support for outcomes to be fully realised.

Early indications for the programme’s performance are encouraging. Of the 4,400 participants who were out of work when joining the programme and who had received at least six months of support, 1,500 had achieved earnings from employment (34%). Moreover, of the 25,000 that started on the programme between April 2025 and June 2026, 26% of these were aged 16-24.

By June 2026, 7,200 people (including 2,700 aged 16 to 24) had started the more intensive SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) support in Connect to Work. This is aimed at those with more complex barriers, including those who are neurodivergent or learning disabled. Of these, around 6,500 (90%) were out of work when starting the programme and 1,000 of these had already moved into work (including 420 young people).

We expect that the impact of the programme, including any variation in outcomes between areas, to become clearer as delivery matures and more participants complete their support journey.

Regarding a breakdown of the different complexities experienced by cohorts, the Management Information data is not currently of sufficient quality or coverage to meet the standards required for publication as Official Statistics, and therefore more detailed breakdowns are not currently published. We will keep this under review as publication of more detailed information in future Official Statistics will depend on how the MI data collection and processes mature.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the variation in Connect to Work participation and employment outcomes between local authority and combined authority areas.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Connect to Work is being delivered locally across England and Wales and has been introduced on a phased basis, with delivery areas launching according to local readiness. As a result, there is variation in how long individual programmes have been operating, which affects the extent to which meaningful comparisons can currently be made between local authority and combined authority areas. We intend to publish data in due course on the progress local areas are making against delivery expectations, once sufficient evidence is available to support robust and meaningful comparisons.

The department regularly publishes Connect to Work official statistics. The latest statistics, which are also available in more detail on Stat-Xplore, cover the period from April 2025 to June 2026. For this period, 46 of the 48 delivery areas had launched their programmes, with 27 having operated for six months or more. Around 15,000 of the 25,000 starts on the programme occurred between March and June 2026, meaning a significant proportion of participants have not yet received sufficient support for outcomes to be fully realised.

Early indications for the programme’s performance are encouraging. Of the 4,400 participants who were out of work when joining the programme and who had received at least six months of support, 1,500 had achieved earnings from employment (34%). Moreover, of the 25,000 that started on the programme between April 2025 and June 2026, 26% of these were aged 16-24.

By June 2026, 7,200 people (including 2,700 aged 16 to 24) had started the more intensive SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) support in Connect to Work. This is aimed at those with more complex barriers, including those who are neurodivergent or learning disabled. Of these, around 6,500 (90%) were out of work when starting the programme and 1,000 of these had already moved into work (including 420 young people).

We expect that the impact of the programme, including any variation in outcomes between areas, to become clearer as delivery matures and more participants complete their support journey.

Regarding a breakdown of the different complexities experienced by cohorts, the Management Information data is not currently of sufficient quality or coverage to meet the standards required for publication as Official Statistics, and therefore more detailed breakdowns are not currently published. We will keep this under review as publication of more detailed information in future Official Statistics will depend on how the MI data collection and processes mature.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has considered introducing guidance for family courts on distinguishing between (a) a child who has never had an established relationship with a parent and (b) a child whose previously established relationship with a parent has been disrupted during proceedings.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Children Act 1989, in particular the “welfare checklist” in section 1(3), already provides courts with the flexibility needed to make decisions for children in these sorts of different situations. The checklist remains an effective and enduring piece of legislation. It requires courts to pay particular regard to a list of factors that affect a child’s welfare, including the harm that they have suffered or are at risk of suffering, how capable a parent is of meeting the child’s needs, the wishes and feelings of the child and the likely effect on the child of any change in their circumstances.

This allows the courts to assess individual circumstances, however they may vary from case to case, while still considering specified factors. The checklist is already well equipped to reflect modern understandings of child welfare whether children have an established relationship with a parent, or not.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that schools maintain political impartiality.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

All schools are subject to longstanding legal duties relating to political impartiality. They must prohibit the promotion of partisan political views and, where political issues are brought to pupils’ attention, take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that opposing views are presented in a balanced way.

The department’s guidance on political impartiality supports schools to meet these duties when teaching political issues, selecting resources and working with external organisations. It makes clear that schools should consider external materials in advance and take reasonable and proportionate steps to ensure a fair and balanced presentation, while supporting pupils to form their own views. Responsibility for complying with these duties’ rests with those responsible for the governance and leadership of schools.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the net change in the number of arrivals under the UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme, part of the UK-France Agreement.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

Over 1,500 individuals have been returned to France since the pilot began with a similar number transferred to the UK under the pilot’s legal route.

This pilot demonstrates the impact of coordinated action to increase returns, and we will continue working alongside our French counterparts to combat smuggling gangs and their illegal crossings. Small boat crossings are down over 40% this year, with small boat arrivals this summer at their lowest in six years.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what procedures are in place to prevent the international removal of a child from the UK where a family court has made an order (a) restricting and (b) prohibiting the child's removal from the jurisdiction.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office's published returns guidance (Returns preparation: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK) requires checks to be undertaken in cases involving children and specifically addresses family court proceedings. Where family court proceedings are known or identified, caseworkers are required to seek clarification from CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), or the equivalent devolved body where appropriate.

The Family Returns Process also operates within the statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Any known family court proceedings or orders are considered as part of the safeguarding and welfare assessment undertaken before removal action proceeds.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much her Department spent on translation services in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers provided on 5 October 2026 in response to Question 29095, on 7 April 2025 in response to Question 40621, and on 6 November 2024 in response to Question 11203.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the total value is of grant funding that will be awarded to each local authority selected to participate in the Young Futures Hubs and Transformation Programme; and what proportion of that funding will be available for (a) planning and co-creation, (b) revenue expenditure, (c) capital expenditure and (d) digital projects.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

On 16th September the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, announced 26 new local authorities in England who are participating in the Young Futures Hubs and Transformation programme, alongside the 8 Early Adopters. Funding available is published on gov.uk and set out below:

• up to £100k for each Local Authority to undertake planning and co-creation activities.

• up to £300k per annum, until March 2029, for each Young Futures Hub to operate; and

• up to £125k of capital funding for each Young Futures Hub for light touch refurbishments and/or digital projects.

Every Local Authority taking part in the Young Futures Hubs programme will also be able to access up to £500k to deliver Local Youth Transformation projects, to build capability and leadership to deliver a high quality youth offer.

Hubs are being designed with local partners and young people to meet the needs of the communities they serve, and we will set out more detail of individual funding arrangements in due course.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many local authorities submitted an expression of interest in the Young Futures Hubs and Transformation Programme; how many were successful; and how many were unsuccessful.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Fifty local authorities (excluding the early adopters) were shortlisted for the Expression of Interest (EOI) process. Local authorities were shortlisted using a methodology based on local need, combining data on crime, deprivation and community need, and mental health. This targeted the programme’s core goals: improving mental health and wellbeing, increasing opportunities, and reducing vulnerability to crime.

49 local authorities submitted an EOI. A total of 26 local authorities were selected to participate in the programme, alongside the 8 Early Adopter local authorities. The remaining 23 were not selected at this time.

Demand for funding far exceeded that which was available, and as with any competitive process, meant that not all areas that submitted EOIs could be supported. This should not be taken as a reflection of the level of need in the area, and we recognise that areas not selected for Young Futures Hubs and Local Youth Transformation Funding also face significant challenges. We aim to support local authorities to develop connections across the region and share learnings wider so more areas can learn and benefit from this transformation programme.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that funding for Young Futures Hubs does not result in reductions in funding for other existing youth services.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Young Futures Hubs form part of a £500 million investment over the next few years from DCMS for youth services to provide support when and where young people need it, more safe spaces, and access to trusted adults.

Government is committed to ensuring Young Futures Hubs complement and enhance existing youth provision, not replace it. The programme supports local authorities to take a strategic, evidence-led approach to identifying and addressing gaps in support for young people, building on existing youth services, community assets and voluntary and community sector provision.

In addition to funding for their Young Futures Hub, local authorities will receive £500,000 through the Local Youth Transformation Programme to strengthen the local capability, partnerships and infrastructure needed to deliver this approach.

DCMS grant agreements and monitoring will ensure this funding remains strictly additional to existing provision, supported by national evaluation to assess the programme’s impact.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the proportion of people receiving the basic State Pension who would be affected by an increase in the level of taxation of pension income.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

State Pension income has always been subject to taxation. Pensioners whose only income is the basic State Pension, without any increments, do not currently pay income tax. This is because all taxpayers benefit from the income tax Personal Allowance PA, which allows them to earn £12,570 each year tax free.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an estimate of the number of jobs lost across the ECO4 supply chain since the scheme's closure was announced.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has not made an estimate of the number of jobs lost across the ECO4 supply chain since the closure of the scheme was announced. ECO4 does not operate through a discrete workforce and many businesses and workers also deliver activity under other government and commercial programmes. The Government recognises that the closure of ECO4 presents challenges for parts of the supply chain and has engaged closely with industry to understand impacts, including on the workforce. Officials continue to monitor developments and support the transition to opportunities created through the Warm Homes Plan and wider home energy efficiency programmes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the abolition of the Health Services Safety Investigation Branch on the level of maternity safety.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s statement to the House of Commons on 15 September in response to the publication of the Thirlwall Inquiry, which stated:

“The inquiry is clear about the important role of HSSIB [the Health Services Safety Investigation Branch]. The intention of our reforms is for that role to continue. As part of the Health Bill, it involves transferring HSSIB into the Care Quality Commission. However, that independent role and investigations will continue. I plan to review the detail of this to ensure that we are meeting the spirit of the inquiry’s recommendation, because it is immensely important that we have those arrangements in place.”

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she plans to publish the Government's response to the recommendations of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation led by Baroness Amos, published on 30 June 2026.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government committed to translating the recommendations from the Amos investigation, alongside Donna Ockenden’s national recommendations and those from the Thirlwall inquiry, into a national maternity and neonatal action plan by the end of 2026. The action plan is being developed through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce and its expert reference groups.

The Government is establishing England’s first statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner through the Health Bill. Further details on the appointment process and timetable will be provided in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she will bring forward the publication of the National Maternity and Neonatal Action Plan from December 2026, in the context of the findings of recent maternity investigations and reviews.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government committed to translating the recommendations from the Amos investigation, alongside Donna Ockenden’s national recommendations and those from the Thirlwall inquiry, into a national maternity and neonatal action plan by the end of 2026. The action plan is being developed through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce and its expert reference groups.

The Government is establishing England’s first statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner through the Health Bill. Further details on the appointment process and timetable will be provided in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she expects to appoint a Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government committed to translating the recommendations from the Amos investigation, alongside Donna Ockenden’s national recommendations and those from the Thirlwall inquiry, into a national maternity and neonatal action plan by the end of 2026. The action plan is being developed through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce and its expert reference groups.

The Government is establishing England’s first statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner through the Health Bill. Further details on the appointment process and timetable will be provided in due course.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been referred to the Jobs Guarantee in each of the six phase one delivery areas since April 2026; and how many of those people have started a job.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Jobs Guarantee is one element of the Youth Guarantee. The scheme will provide long term unemployed young people with a fully funded six-month paid job. This will include tailored employability and in-work support to help participants succeed on the scheme and transition into sustained employment.

Phase One of the Jobs Guarantee launched in April 2026 in six areas across GB. A detailed breakdown of each of the six delivery areas for phase one, showing expected demand, are available here. Phase One is expected to support over 1,000 job starts.

The Department is actively monitoring the delivery of Phase One and collecting data on the participant journeys. This will include the number of young people who enter employment through the scheme. Findings from the evaluation of the scheme will be published in due course.